Florida Replacement Windows

Last year Hubby and I bought a condo down in the St. Augustine area of Florida. Our bid reflected a dire need for new windows to be installed. I shared some pictures with you earlier this year. The picture up top is the before back window facing the intra-coastal, and the after front window facing the ocean. Pretty much all the before windows looked like that one (that was the best pic I had), and now we have nice, new, see-through windows like the after photograph (again, the best pic I had).

As soon as we arrived down south this past January, Hubby got the name of several contractors from our HOA president, and the condo managers. Since this is a condo, we had no stylistic choices other than double or single hung windows. And this place is all about an ocean view, so therefore we wanted windows we can clean, so double hung windows were our choice. We also replaced the slider out to the deck. Over the years it must have has issues with salt build-up because it was barely opening enough for Max to pass through!

Based on the 2010 Florida Building Code, Effective March 15th, 2012. Wind Speeds established in St. Johns County: Category I is 122 mph and includes screen enclosures, temporary, agricultural, and minor storage buildings. Category II is 132 mph and includes all residential, most commercial, and buildings or structures not included in Categories I, III, and IV. Category III and IV structures is 142 mph and includes buildings and structures with a substantial hazard to human life and essential facilities.

We were told by the installer that impact windows for Florida installation are now made in Florida. The specs state that these windows pass missile resistance testing!!! I guess that is why the installer said we could take a baseball bat to the windows and not have pieces of glass fly out (not that we are testing the notion).

The actual replacement process of these windows was fairly long. We are on the third floor of our condo, so scaffolding needed to be set up for the installers to reach each one of our windows. The old window was removed, the area cleaned out, and butyl flashing was put around the opening to prevent moisture intrusion, and the window frame was installed, shimmed and adjusted for plumb. Then the bottom window was installed, then the top window. There was quite a bit of manipulation with the springs to get the windows to rise and fall smoothly. Looking through my pictures, I am guessing there were 20 steps in between that I didn’t take note of. Well, the inspector was pleased when he was here to sign off on the work.

In all the installers were here for six day replacing 6 windows, a sliding glass door, and our entry way door.

Here are some pictures of the process:

One of the side windows. The side windows were fairly difficult for them to get to because of the room pitch for the unit below (we are the last unit on the top, but the floors below us each have at least one more unit). This one was the easier of the two side windows because it was flat enough at a point to secure their scaffolding and ladders. The other side was something else. Let’s just say these men aren’t afraid of heights!

That is the scaffolding set up they had for the front and back windows.

These are the highlights of one of the window installs – minus little things like the screws and such.

While the installers did install new sills, and repainted, repaired and in some cases, replaced what was on the exterior of the windows, Hubby was responsible for the interior drywall patching and painting. We were fortunate that Hubby could do the repairs, but it is something to consider when deciding which installer to use. Do they do the entire job leaving the site better than when they started, or will you have to do some repairs to the walls and paint?

I am very glad that this is finished. It was number one on our list of Florida Renovation Projects for 2014. Not only do we now have our beautiful view, we shouldn’t have to worry about water infiltration, possible window bursts during a hurricane, and wow, is it quiet in here!! The added bonus of this dense glass is it is pretty sound deadening. We hear none of the road noise, children or dogs outside. It is a great bonus!

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